Property taxes are among the highest operating costs for property owners, but the assessments dictating those taxes aren’t always accurate.
NextGenLaw’s property tax appeal lawyers bring decades of experience to challenging Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) valuations and classifications. Whether you own commercial, industrial, multi-residential, or complex special-purpose real estate, our firm guides you through the Request for Reconsideration (RfR) and Assessment Review Board (ARB) appeal processes to ensure you are taxed fairly.
Call Our Office: (613) 294-1156
Property taxes in Ontario are calculated based on the Current Value Assessment (CVA) and the tax class assigned to your property by MPAC. If MPAC overvalues your property, places it in the wrong tax class, or fails to assess it equitably compared to similar properties, you could be paying significantly more in property taxes than legally required.
Successfully challenging an assessment requires an understanding of how MPAC harnesses the following to determine property value and classification:
The estimated amount a property would sell for on the open market as of a specific valuation date.
Properties are categorized into classes (e.g., commercial, industrial, residential), which determine the specific municipal tax rate applied,
The Assessment Act requires that your property’s assessment be equitable with similar properties in the vicinity.
A wide range of property owners and tenants who bear the burden of property taxes can benefit from professional appeal services.
Examples may include:
NextGenLaw’s property tax attorneys understand the complex valuation methodologies used for income-producing and specialized properties. We meticulously review MPAC’s data to identify errors, build compelling cases, and secure fair assessments for our clients.
Property owners seeking an appeal often face technical and procedural challenges requiring legal oversight.
These concerns can include:
Disputes over whether MPAC used the appropriate method (income approach, direct comparison, or cost approach) to value the property.
Disagreements regarding the most profitable, legally permissible use of a property, which heavily influences its assessed value.
Placing a property in a higher-taxed class (e.g., commercial instead of industrial) despite its actual use.
Errors in MPAC’s physical data regarding the property’s size, age, condition, or income/expense statements.
NextGenLaw assists clients through every phase of the assessment appeal lifecycle.
Both of NextGenLaw’s founding partners have served as members and Vice-Chair of the Assessment Review Board. This insider perspective provides our clients with unparalleled insight into how the Board interprets valuation evidence, assesses witness credibility, and decides complex appeals.
Unlike general practice firms, property tax disputes are in our DNA. NextGenLaw’s team navigates the intersection of legal advocacy and real estate appraisal daily. We work seamlessly with leading valuation experts to overturn inaccurate MPAC assessments.
We don’t just navigate existing property tax laws. NextGenLaw has played a role in reshaping them. Having argued and won landmark cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal, we bring an unmatched level of rigorous, innovative legal strategy to every assessment dispute, ensuring no viable path to tax relief is overlooked.
NextGenLaw guides charities, non-profits, and other qualifying organizations through exemption applications and disputes.
If you’re facing a looming Request for Reconsideration (RfR) deadline, a complex ARB hearing, or have received an inaccurate MPAC assessment, immediate action is critical. Schedule a consultation to speak with our property tax appeal team today.
Call Our Office: (613) 294-1156
